Welcome back to the Hodgepodge!
There's been so little of note going on, I've begun to bore myself. Then just in time, here comes Joyce with a few suggestive kick-starts. Thank you, Joyce!
🎇
It's a big week in the US of A as we celebrate Independence Day. Do you have any special plans? How will you mark the day? BBQ? Pool-lake-beach time? Fireworks? Homemade ice cream? If you're not an American, you can tell us what's happening in your corner of the world tomorrow.
We've no special plans for Independence Day, but Troy and Lois have invited us to come 'hang out' Saturday. Weather permitting, I might even take a 'leap of faith' off their dock.
What's your favorite 'All-American' dessert?
Little can beat my DIL's banana pudding.
But, keeping the holiday in mind ...
I want to share something I brought to the 5th Sunday potluck at church.
My criteria was simple: Nothing more difficult than Betty Crocker 101 .....nothing that required turning on the oven ..... and, nothing I'll be tempted to eat.*
Cherry Fluff for the win! --
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)
3-oz. box Cherry Jello
24-oz. can Cherry pie filling
8-oz. tub Cool Whip
1/2 c. walnut pieces
Tiny marshmallows (sprinkled on top)
One of the Bible study ladies brought everyone fresh blueberries she'd picked, so next time I'm thinking of using them v. the pie filling (above) to create a red, white and blue swirl. (Or mess. Depending.)
Does that patriotic feeling come easily to you -- or are you having to work for it more these days? What's something that makes you proud to be a citizen of your country.
Whoa boy!
Honestly, I'm having to work for it lately. Dig deep down and not let my gaze linger too long on those whose interests aren't in line with my own. Pray!
Proud? Just look at the faces of those uniformed young men and women, returning home from conditions we can't even imagine, heads held high.
Too ...
Years ago, while riding a donkey down a Haitian mountainside we (tourists) witnessed poverty that defies (my) description. Someone commented, "Every American teenager should see this." I've never forgotten his words.
Your favorite 'patriotic' movie? Favorite 'patriotic' song?
Saving Private Ryan
God bless the USA
One simple pleasure on your July 'bucket list'?
We're having a party!
Not that we're 'party people' mind you ... actually, the opposite.
It's been niggling at my brain a couple years now -- wanting to do something for a few friends who've extended us invitations and kindnesses.
So ...
Insert your own random thought here.
Yes, siree. Bottoms up!
Hugs, Myra
"Since 7th grade when I became violently ill on cherries"
ReplyDeleteCherries? I had no idea that could happen. What caused it?
I should have said, 'a cherry milkshake.' Way too much, too sweet.
DeleteI love the idea of a Christmas in July party, Myra. Hope it's a big hit for y'all.
ReplyDeleteHappy Independence Day!
Thanks so much!
DeleteMy favorite patriotic movie is The Patriot with Mel Gibson. we have watched it over the years about 5 times. i wanted to watch it last night but bob said enough. we watched the movie about the young black man, Jessie Owens that won four olympic metals in track and field in 1936, the year bob was born. everyone should see it. the crimes against people for the color of their skin never ceases to amaze me. the Olympics were in Berlin that year. Movie name is Race.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun thing to do for a party... LOVE the shirts. i always took green fluff to church events for the same reason you took cherry. or deviled eggs, both went first off the table.
I too am struggling with the condition of our country but then I see all the world is having similar problems. Humans never change since beginning of time.
Of course I've heard of Jesse Owens, but didn't know about the movie. Now it's on my list!
DeleteIts going to be a quiet 4th for us this year..first because the temps. are suppose to be 112F. Ugh !!!
ReplyDeleteSecond because I really don't feel like a big celebration. In our younger years, ours was the place to be to have a big potluck BBQ and fireworks for the whole family and friends. such great memories.
Our DIL has had several Christmas in July parties. They are so much fun and we have even had a Santa, tree and gift exchange.
I do know that God is in control but I still struggle with the condition of our country and the attitudes of the X gen. Where this will all go, I don't know...
As Sandra said, Humans never change since the beginning of time. Bad vs. Good
Enjoy your 4th.
Sue
Those temps are crazy! Ya, I suspect bit get-togethers were more enjoyable in my younger years.
DeleteStill holding y'all in my thoughts and prayers!
Thanks so much...the emotions sure go up and down because of all we have been going through, but we have been so blessed that I try to continue to look UP and look Forward.
DeleteSue
Oh I so wish I could be at your July Christmas Party. Why do you live so far?
ReplyDeleteThat recipe looks good; can you substitute cherry with something else - strawberries perhaps. Our cherry tree has been very fruitful this year. We still have to wait for the apples and pears to be ready for picking.
Happy 4 July to you and your family, Mevely. God bless you all always.
With apologies to Carole King, "It would be so fine to see your face at my door, but you're so far away ..."
DeleteYour recipe sounds delicious and refreshing. Every time we return from abroad, we are more grateful for our country, even though there is so much wrong here right now. The Lemon Fluff is easy to make. A carton of vanilla ice cream, one can sweetened condensed milk and a tube of frozen lemonade. Cover a 13x11 dish with Graham crackers mixed according directions on container. Pour in ice cream and freeze. Just like that! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Libby. I so appreciate you sharing the 'how-to'!
DeleteOur 4th of July will be no different than any other day of the year. In fact, I'm goin' it: sitting in my good recliner, watching a funny old film and the A/C is set at a delicious 71*.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas in July party sounds really nice. Make we wish we lived closer so we could crash it. *lol* I'll bet y'all have a great time.
And, as you know, I love my Country but not our Government especially Mumbley Peg Joe and that denizen of thieves.
God bless ya and stay safe. 💙
Aw, come on! Y'all aren't really that far, are you?
Delete71* sounds ah-mazing. Not successfully, but I'm trying to accept 76* ... dreaming of a hard frost!
I always enjoy cherry fluff when someone brings it to a potluck. Thanks for sharing recipe!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! 🤗
DeleteI'm not a party person, but your Christmas in July sounds like fun. Please write all about it, I'm sure it will be a blast. ❤️
ReplyDeletePS Cheerful Monk
DeleteIt's still a couple of weeks away, but yes. I will!
DeleteHope the weather holds out for you. Your dessert sounds good. I'm with you on Saving Private Ryan. Enjoy that party you are having. Love the t-shirts. Happy 4th of July to you and Tom!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby!
DeleteI love that you are having a party! What a fun idea -- especially since it is a million degrees here in Alabama (I know it isn't really!). Just thinking about Christmas makes me feel cooler :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually got the idea from the Summer Camp I attended in Colorado. According to Google, however, I guess it's a thing!
DeleteYour party sounds like a blast!! How fun! Wish I lived closer enough to crash it! Please take some photos and tell us all about it!! Happy 4th weekend and enjoy being with the kiddos on Saturday! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish you did (live closer), too. Imagine the trouble we could get in. (lol)
DeleteThat cherry fluff sounds interesting! I bet it was cool and refreshing! We missed our 5th Sunday Potluck this past week, thanks to being sick. Your Christmas in July party sounds like a blast! Will it be outside or inside? I hope inside if it is as hot there as it is here! LOL. I hope you have a nice time at your son's home. Do they live on a lake? Can you swim in it? That would be fun. Or do they have a pool? Either sounds nice to me about now. We will be sitting here in front of the tv probably doing nothing. Hopefully Scott will come one day this weekend and grill us some chicken. That will be a celebration enough. Take care and enjoy your week. Oh, I love the t-shirts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking, Pam! We'll definitely be inside -- with ceiling fans on 'high' to help the A/C. Yes, Troy and Lois bought a nearby lake home last year. No pool, but they float around on inflatables.
DeleteFingers crossed Scott comes by to man your grill!
My mom used to make a similar fluff recipe, except hers included cottage instead of cream cheese. Eventually she started making all sorts of variations-like orange gelatin and mandarin oranges and strawberry/strawberry
ReplyDeleteI love cottage cheese! That actually sounds delicious.
DeleteI am the same when it comes to the state of the nation. It breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteI had a colonoscopy once and put cherry mix in it - I can just now start to eat cherries. lol
I hope you have a wonderful party and JUMP IN!
Funny ... not funny? I was lucky last year, instead of drinking that yukky stuff they let me take pills.
DeleteI love your Christmas in July party. It is a wonderful way to celebrate a non-traditional Christmas. At Independence Place they are celebrating Christmas in July and they will be making frozen hot chocolate that day.
ReplyDeleteHow fun! :)
DeleteLove your Christmas in July themed party!! Fun! We have so much to be thankful for in the good ole USA. Good answer. That fluff sounds good. We have a 5th Sunday donut time at our church. Happy 4th to you and happy July!
ReplyDelete🤩
DeleteYour Christmas in July party sounds like fun! Makes me want to host one too (won't happen this year, but tucking the idea away for later). Take the leap!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will! 🌲
DeleteYour party sounds really nice, grin. Thank you, Myra, for the many smiles. Have a beautiful day my friend.
ReplyDelete🤗
Deleteyou asked: Does that patriotic feeling come easily to you ? ....... Yes I love this country with all it's bumps and troubles. I look forward to a bright future...
ReplyDeleteGood read. Glad to read about the 4th and we did a good deed and bought two old women we did not know, lunch. Meeting them made me appreciate the country........
Love from a HOT Florida
Buying those ladies' lunch is the sweetest thing!
DeleteThat party sounds fun!!! I enjoyed your answers
ReplyDelete🤗
Delete